Kirpianuscus first time, I saw it when I was a child. and, for me, it remains one of the most provocative films . the motifs - many. maybe, too many. because it is Shakespeare but it is , in same measure, Taylor and Burton. it is a savage show. it is one of special films using you as part of it. all is remarkable. all is exciting. and this is the key for discover it . again and again. as a trip in a world who, so far by yours,preserves the flavor of rain, the smells of wed grass, the drops of carnival. so, a rare film. because it is just an experience.

SimonJack Of the dozen movies that Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton made together, they are at their best in this Shakespeare comedy. Franco Zeffirelli's 1967 "The Taming of the Shrew" will likely remain the most lavish production of the play. The De Laurentiis Studios in Rome served up a huge gorgeous set for the telling of this play that has variously been done as outright farce, satire, social commentary and plain comedy. This Columbia Pictures production has a superb cast in addition to Burton and Taylor. Rome was the proper place for filming this production that is made up mostly of British and Italian performers. All of the cast are superb. Especially good turns were given by Cyril Cusack as Grumio, Michael Hordern as Baptista and Michael York as Lucentio. But all eyes, of course, were on Taylor and Burton – especially Taylor who in 1967 was the queen of Hollywood. Both stars, who were married to each other at the time, gave excellent performances. Taylor's take on the final scene was a different interpretation of the play, but works. Yet, I would have liked to see her instead make the final speech to the crowd in a satirical manner. Taylor's Katharina gives more presence and substance to the character than most interpretations. I agree with the critics who think that gives more oomph to the story. Yet, in this case I think Burton's performance is the best role in this film. His interpretation of Petruchio as the bombastic, roguish ruffian is very good, and very funny. He is not a bully but is intimidating to Katharina. I think his character more clearly defines the play/film as a farce, and therefore a satire on the social ways of old, about which Shakespeare penned so well. As of this time, I have not yet seen the 1980 BBC Television production, which stars John Cleese. I look forward to watching it one day for how differently he interprets Petruchio. But, in the meantime, this lavish 1967 film of the great Shakespeare comedy is a treat. It mercifully eliminates the induction (which I agree works only on the stage), and gives a nice prologue to open the story. One doesn't have to be a Shakespeare fan to enjoy this fine movie.

chaswe-28402 Wrong stars, wrong director. The comedy, if any, was missed by a mile and simply reduced to silliness. Taylor seemed to be having a little more fun than Burton, although he laughed a lot, in a fake and forced sort of way. Comedy was just not Burton's bag. He wasn't funny or even amusing. Nor was anyone else, and that goes for the production as a whole. Zeffirelli gives an impression of having concentrated more on the sets, costumes and extras. Perhaps it was the writing, by the adapter. But the direction was seriously serious. Everyone failed to capture what amusement there might have been. Kiss Me Kate, by Cole Porter, 1949, had better words and music. That was Porter's biggest hit, and a very ingenious take on the play. It is impossible to believe that both of these films rate 7.2 on IMDb, when Kiss Me Kate is so immeasurably superior. At times the lines seemed to be directly pinched from Cole Porter, eighteen years later, though perhaps they were originally penned by William.What were the good points ? I thought both Burton and Taylor fitted their parts physically, although some critics think they were too old. With Kate systematically rebuffing her suitors she might well have been heading for old maidenhood. With Petruchio so mercenary about the practical side of marriage, I think he might well have been fairly mature. So I don't think their ages were against them. But this was not an entertaining movie. The roles should be played as written, deadpan not dopey. I wonder what Princess Margaret thought of it at the Command Performance in 1967.

oOoBarracuda Franco Zeffirelli's 1967 feature The Taming of the Shrew acted as my introduction to Elizabeth Taylor. Elizabeth Taylor was an actress I had often heard about yet never seen in any films. In this film, Elizabeth Taylor acted with her husband at the time Richard Burton in one of their 11 films together. The two exuded brilliant on- screen chemistry, as you would hope any married couple would as they play a married couple on-screen. As I'm sure he did in real life, Richard Burton's Petruchio had his hands full with his shrew for a wife, Katharina. The fair, young Bianca (Natasha Pyne) cannot take a husband until her older sister Katharina does; as proclaimed by their father, Baptista (Michael Hordern) The problem is, Katharina is a shrew with no interest to marry and devote herself to a man. Hopelessly in love with Bianca, Lucentio (Michael York) poses as a tutor just to remain in close proximity to Bianca. Yet another man after the heart of Bianca, Hortensio (Victor Spinetti) devises a plan to sling Cupid's arrow at Katharina in order to lift Bianca's marriage ban. Hortensio finds the perfect suitor in Petruchio (Richard Burton) the money focused miscreant who recently arrived in town. Petruchio's desires are also fulfilled if he successfully marries Katharina, as he is searching for a wealthy wife. Once Petruchio is warned about Katharina's fiery temper and brash disposition and ensured that the debt he incurred winning her love will be paid for by Gremio (Alan Webb), yet another suitor of Bianca's, he willingly accepts the challenge of attempting to make her his wife. I was a little bit surprised at how much of a comedy this film came off as. I knew it was one of Shakespeare's lighter works but felt as though the comedy was overdone a bit throughout the film. Some of the scenes were reminiscent of even slapstick comedy, they were so overdone. Perhaps it was this overtly comedic tone that the costuming was so dramatic. Irene Sharaff, Danilo Donati enjoyed Academy accolades being nominated for Best Costume Design and certainly deserve the recognition given the intricacies of the period pieces used in the film. Praise being given, however, Richard Burton's arms often looked like piñatas on-screen in his overly elaborate costumes. The Taming of the Shrew was a fun film, with an exceptionally acted, albeit sexist, finale involving Elizabeth Taylor. Certainly the most glowing part of The Taming of the Shrew was the acting of Richard Burton. I was expecting to be blown away by Elizabeth Taylor only for her to be overshadowed by Richard Burton every scene they shared. It is quite apparent that Richard Burton was no stranger to Shakespearean roles before his turn in The Taming of the Shrew, as his acting was simply phenomenal. I would be outraged at his not being recognized by the Academy for his Petruchio, had 1968 not been one of the most stacked years for Best Lead Actor that I have ever seen. In addition to Burton's fine acting, the ensemble cast added immensely to the film as well, each having their turn in the spotlight. The lighting in this film also adds a great deal to the plot. First showing Katharina in dark lighting, later to show her in brighter lighting is an apt allusion to her losing her Shrew moniker and becoming a noble wife. The expectations of women in this film make me glad to have not lived in Shakespeare's time. Once a woman became a wife, full obedience to her husband was expected, and one was scolded if this obedience was not given freely. Each piece of this film, the acting, lighting, and costuming work in harmony to forward progress the thematic content of the film creating one of my favorite Shakespeare adaptations I've seen to date.